Root Canal Therapy

Root Canal Therapy: Save Your Tooth

Experiencing a toothache and wonder if you need a root canal? Wondering if you should call an endodontist vs dentist for your root canal? Our dentists are proud to offer root canal therapy to our patients. We’ve performed hundreds of them over the past several years, and we’re glad to say that we make this procedure comfortable and easy for our patients.

At Lincoln Family Dentistry, we want you to have the best dental experience with us. It’s our pleasure to make your appointment as easy for you as possible. If there’s anything we can do to ensure your comfort, please don’t hesitate to let us know. A healthy relationship with your dentist should allow you to communicate your needs, fears and concerns. We want to make sure that you’re being taken care of, and communication will help us do that.

A Comfortable Approach

Saving a Tooth with Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is the last effort that can be taken to save a tooth. If we can do anything else to fix or repair your tooth, we will. If you need this procedure, Dr. Kathryn Alderman’s years of experience can make what is thought to be a dreaded and painful visit simple and quick.

Since Dr. Kathryn Alderman uses the latest laser technology, she can complete a root canal in just one visit.

A lot of our patients ask, “Do root canals hurt?” You’ve probably already experienced pain chewing, drinking hot or cold liquids or a throbbing pain that leads to headaches and keeps you up at night. We’ll remove the damaged portion of the tooth that is causing you pain, fill it and send you on your way all in one day. Regular cleaning and checkup appointments can also prevent root canals. This procedure will actually help your tooth hurt less, in the long run, so you shouldn’t have to worry about too much pain.

Root Canal Therapy Symptoms

The main symptom for an infected tooth is severe sharp toothache and pain. Some think that pain is simply a result of dental caries otherwise known as cavities, but this is a misconception. When a cavity develops, it actually shouldn’t cause any pain. If you’re experiencing pain, it means that a cavity has progressed to the middle part ( nerve space) of your tooth. When this happens, you may be developing sharp and intolerable toothache that does not go away with taking over the counter medication.

Root Canal Therapy Procedure

Thankfully, root canal therapy is now a quick and easy procedure. Root canal therapy is a great alternative to extracting a tooth and will help you save your tooth.

In the process of this procedure, your dentist will start by taking an x-ray. After taking an x-ray, the root canal dentist will clean out your tooth. Using anesthesia, the dentist will ensure your comfort and numbness. Once you are adequately numbed, they’ll remove decayed tooth structure that was damaged by the infection. After they’ve cleaned out the inside of your tooth, the dentist will reach the affected nerve. The pain experienced from the infection is a result of the infection reaching the nerve, or the pulp. The dentist will remove the pulp while keeping the tooth perfectly intact.

As the final step, your root canal dentist will place a temporary filling, until the next appointment where they’ll place a crown to protect your tooth. And with that, your tooth will have been saved.

The Cost of Root Canal Therapy in Lincoln, NE

There are a few factors that can affect the cost of a root canal. Fortunately, this procedure is cheaper than replacing your tooth after a tooth extraction. Extraction usually requires the placement of an implant or bridge, increasing the cost significantly.

The best way to determine the cost of root canal therapy is to see us so that we can give you a definitive diagnosis based on your case. We can give you a more accurate cost so that you won’t be left up in the air. If you would like to contact us and get an estimate for your treatment, contact us by emailing, calling or texting at:

Email: nebraskafamilydentistrylfd@gmail.com

Text: (402) 413-8589

Call: 402467-1000

Frequently Asked Questions about Root Canal Therapy

Q: Can a tooth infection make me sick? when should I see endodontist vs dentist for a tooth infection?

A: Yes, there is always a risk of the infection spreading and becoming life-threatening when a tooth is infected. If the infection is spreading, you may notice facial swelling, enlarged lymph nodes, fever and chills. If you are experiencing these symptoms, call your emergency dentist as soon as possible or proceed to the emergency room or walk-in clinic. You will likely be prescribed antibiotics to help control the infection until the tooth can be treated. Sometimes patients ask if they should go to the endodontist vs dentist if they are experiencing these symptoms. It is best to call your emergency general dentist who can give you antibiotics. Usually when an infection has spread to this extent, patients need antibiotics for a few days to reduce the infection before any treatment is rendered.

Q: Does root canal therapy hurt?

A: During the procedure, you’ll be anesthetized, so you will not feel anything. Mild discomfort can be expected following the procedure. If the pain seems intense, don’t hesitate to let your dentist know, as there may be something else going on.

Q: Why do toothaches hurt more at night?

A: Usually toothaches are more painful during the night because patients are laying down which creates an increase of blood flow to the head. This increased blood pressure causes the throbbing pain to intensify. You can take ibuprofen and Tylenol and lay with your head propped up on pillows until your emergency appointment with your dentist.

Q: I need to redo root canal, is it better to redo a root canal or to replace a tooth with an implant? Should I see an endodontist to redo a root canal or oral surgeon to place an implant?

A: Failed root canals usually present as a long-standing tooth infection with bone loss or pus draining around the tooth. For these cases, attempting to perform a root canal “re-treat” gives the tooth a poor long-term prognosis, whether an endodontist vs dentist performs the procedure. This is because root canals most often fail from cracked roots, missed micro-canals during the first root canal treatment, or the body’s inability to heal normally after the root canal was done. If the root canal is re-treated and does not heal, the patient will continue to have a long-term, chronic infection. Many patients with healthy immune systems can tolerate poor dental work for a period of time before the infection spreads and becomes a threat to their overall health, but patients who suffer from autoimmune diseases or other inflammatory conditions are at a high risk of health complications.

Q: Can I have a root canal while pregnant?

A: It is safe to have a root canal during pregnancy. It is very important to eradicate infections that can spread throughout the body especially during pregnancy. Pain and infection can increase your heart rate and the inflammatory chemicals your body makes to fight off infection can stress your body during pregnancy and lead to complications if left untreated.Whether you choose to see an endodontist vs dentist for your procedure, inform them that you are pregnant so they can select appropriate anesthetics and avoid giving you any medications that are contraindicated during pregnancy. You will require x-rays before, during and after the root canal. Your abdominal region will be shielded from any scatter radiation with a lead apron during x-rays. The dose of radiation you will receive from digital x-rays in our office is very minimal.

Q: Does insurance cover root canal therapy if I see an endodontist vs dentist ?

A: In most cases, root canals are covered by dental insurance. However, it usually only applies to a certain amount of root canal procedures per year. Many patients ask us if it is cheaper to have root canal therapy with an endodontist vs general dentist. At Lincoln Family Dentistry, we offer very competitive pricing for root canal therapy and participate with most major dental insurance companies, which lowers the cost for our patients. For most patients, it is cheaper to see a general dentist vs endodontist for root canal therapy. Most dentists accept more insurance plans than endodontists.

Q: My immune system is compromised. Is it safe for me to have root canal therapy?

A: For patients with autoimmune conditions, root canal therapy may not be a good option. This is because they have delayed or poor healing after infections or surgeries. For patients who are receiving treatment for cancer or osteoporosis, root canals may be the best treatment option to avoid performing extractions. Each patient and tooth to be treated should be evaluated carefully to determine if root canal therapy is a good option. Our dentists can help you the best decision for your overall health.

Q: What are some best home remedies for toothaches?

A: It is important to know that no home remedy will treat the underlying cause of your toothache and that home remedies are only useful for managing your symptoms until your dental appointment. You can reduce pain and swelling by alternating doses of ibuprofen and Tylenol. If there is any swelling, you can apply ice packs to your face. Clove oil can be applied to the gums around the tooth to reduce pain. Keeping the area clean by brushing and flossing will help to reduce irritation in the gum tissue.

Q: How can I find a root canal dentist that accepts my dental insurance?

A: You can search the web for “root canal dentist near me in Lincoln, NE,” to find a list of providers in the area. Your insurance company’s website should also have a list of providers who participate with your plan. We have five locations throughout Lincoln, NE where you can receive root canal therapy. Our doctors participate with most major insurance companies and we offer a variety of payment options to help make root canal therapy affordable for you.

Q: What is an endodontist? How can I find an endodontist vs dentist near me in Lincoln, NE?

A: Many patients want to know the difference between an endodontist vs dentist. General dentists are trained to perform many different procedures, including root canal therapy. Endodontists are dentist with advanced training in root canal therapy and are able to perform very complex root canals. General dentists can treat the majority of teeth requiring root canal therapy, but can also refer patients with more complicated cases to endodontists if necessary. Our root canal dentists in Lincoln, NE have successfully treated hundreds of teeth with root canal therapy. They offer comfortable and convenient appointments for patients at five of our locations in Lincoln, NE.